Filipinos Gathered for the Long-Awaited Barrio Fiesta sa Austria 2022
Philippine Embassy in Vienna Chargé d'Affaires Irene Susan B. Natividad delivering her remarks during Barrio Fiesta sa Vienna 2022. (Vienna PE photo)
VIENNA, 01 August 2022 – The much-anticipated Barrio Fiesta of the Filipino community in Austria was successfully held on 23 July 2022 at the Sportplatz ATV Liesing in Vienna, following a 2-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Filipinos from all over Austria and neighboring countries participated in the event.
The day-long event, organized by the Council of Filipino Associations in Austria (CFAA), opened with a Eucharistic celebration in the morning, followed in the afternoon by a parade of participating Filipino organizations and business establishments. The official program included remarks from the President of CFAA, District Councillor Susanne Deutsch, and Philippine Embassy in Vienna Chargé d’Affaires Irene Susan B. Natividad, and cultural performances from Austria-based individuals and groups. All throughout the day, participating organizations, including Jollibee, sold Filipino specialties and delicacies.
In her remarks, Chargé d'Affaires Natividad highlighted the significance of the event in reliving and celebrating Filipino culture. “This is a time to come together as a community—to celebrate blessings, to celebrate family, to celebrate values, and to celebrate the richness of Filipino culture. Today, we are proud to bring this part of our culture here in Austria. We may be more than a thousand miles away from home, but I dare say that experiencing this barrio fiesta with all of you is a proud reminder of the Filipino spirit which is very much alive in all of us here,” she said.
As part of its economic and cultural diplomacy activities, the Embassy took the opportunity to promote the Philippine creative industries through a display of Philippine-made home furnishings, handicrafts, and textiles at the Embassy booth. The display, with the theme of a Filipino living room or sala, proved popular among the Barrio Fiesta’s many guests took photos inside the booth. The Embassy distributed tourism materials to interested guests during the event. END
Philippine Embassy in Vienna leading the traditional parade during Barrio Fiesta Sa Vienna 2022. (Photo by Hector Pascua)
Mindanao Association in Austria performing Dayang Dayang. (Photo by Hector Pascua)
Philippine Embassy in Vienna promoting tourism destinations in the Philippines. (Photo by Hector Pascua)
Philippine Embassy photo booth featuring the Filipino Sala. (Photo by Hector Pascua)
Guests try the tumba-tumba and strum a Philippine guitar inside the Embassy’s booth. (Photo by Hector Pascua)
For more information, visit https://www.viennape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.at or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinAustria/, https://www.twitter.com/PHLinAustria, or https://www.instagram.com/phinaustria/.